Farming

Fears dairy farm near Kilgetty could increase to 3,000 cattle

Published

8 months ago

July 24, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKESHIRE planners are to visit the site of one of the county’s largest dairy farms after claims were raised a scheme for new calf buildings could lead to animal welfare issues and an increase in the size of the herd to 3,000 cattle.

At the July 23 meeting of the council’s planning committee, an application by Hugh James of Langdon Mill Farms Ltd for a calf building, weaned calf building, and associated yard areas, at Langdon Mill Farm, near Jeffreyston, Kilgetty was recommended for conditional approval.

Local community council Jeffreyston has raised concerns, made by a member of the public, on potential increased noise and odour from the scheme, planners heard.

A supporting statement, through agent Reading Agricultural Consultants, said: “The holding currently has a milking herd of approximately 2,000 cows, which are housed indoors for the majority of the year, with dry cows [cows that are not lactating, prior to calving] and heifers grazed outdoors when weather and soil conditions permit.

“There has been significant investment in buildings and infrastructure at the farm over the last decade in respect of cattle accommodation, slurry storage, milking facilities, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant and feed storage. The unit is efficient, achieving yields of more than 10,000 litres/cow/year, with cows being milked three times/day in the 60-point rotary parlour.”

Currently, calves are reared at Langdon Mill Farm for two months before being transported off-site to be reared at a number of third-party farms in the area before being return later; the proposed 61.2m long calf building is required to accommodate young-stock, following separation from the cows, to two-months, with the 164.8m weaned calf building to be used for calves from two months to seven months.

The application says the proposals would “clearly make the enterprise more financially robust by reducing reliance on third party farms”.

However, concerns were raised at the committee meeting by objector Ian Dennis, a former vet of some four decades’ experience, who described Langdon as occupying 3,000 acres of land with 2,000 cattle currently that “are never allowed to graze,” the proposal, he said, would add another 1,000 cattle to the site.

“This is factory farming, an intensive livestock unit, no longer a farm.”

He told planners a “mendacious and incorrect” ammonia emission report submitted by the applicants was “designed to bamboozle,” saying, despite his experience and scientific background, he needed expert support to assess.

He said only average figures were reported, rather than peaks and troughs, adding the “fictitious anaerobic digestion plant” had yet to be built, with planning permission now lapsed.

However, officers told members the applicant’s agent had said works on the digestor had actually started.

On the issue of animal welfare, Mr Dennis said he had “very huge concerns” about the scale of the development, differing from a planning officer report saying the scheme would bring animal welfare benefits.

A suggestion by committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock the application be deferred pending a site visit was unanimously backed by committee members present.

Farming

Kurtz applauded by farmers following Senedd speech

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

APPLAUSE from the public gallery followed a speech by Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz as he urged the UK Labour Government to scrap planned changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

The debate saw Welsh Conservatives and Plaid Cymru unite in calling on the Welsh Labour Government to press Westminster to reconsider the policy, which has sparked concern among Welsh farmers.

The removal of APR could force Welsh family farms to sell off land to cover inheritance tax following the death of a farm owner, jeopardising profitability, impacting farmers’ mental health, and opening the door for companies to acquire farmland for greenwashing purposes.

Following the debate, Samuel Kurtz said: “It is shocking that the Welsh Labour Government remains silent on the issue of APR. Even Welsh Labour MPs have recently voiced their support for reviewing this decision.

“The Welsh First Minister met with the Chancellor, the very person leading these changes, yet raised none of the concerns of Welsh farmers. I believe this is a dereliction of duty from a First Minister who is supposed to represent all of Wales and all of its people.

“We had the opportunity, as a Senedd, to send a unified message down the M4 to Westminster in support of our farmers, but Labour chose not to take it.

“We must continue applying pressure on both the Welsh and UK Labour Governments. Once family farms are sold off, they will be lost forever, depleting the rural communities that are so much the lifeblood of Wales.”

Farming

Farmers’ union takes Inheritance Tax fight to the Senedd

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AHEAD of a Senedd debate on the UK Government’s controversial changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) on Wednesday 5 March, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) were in the Senedd, lobbying Welsh politicians to press for the UK Government to review their far-reaching changes.

The debate, tabled by Plaid Cymru, called on the the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government to reconsider and pause the family farm tax until they have conducted a thorough consultation and economic review of its impact on working farms.

Despite support from the Welsh Conservatives and Welsh Liberal Democrats, the debate itself saw the Plaid Cymru motion narrowly voted down.

An amended motion supported by the Welsh Government was passed, which recognised the concerns expressed by Welsh farmers about changes to APR, and that Welsh Ministers would continue to advocate to the UK Government that the views of Welsh farmers be given full and proper consideration.

Ahead of the debate the FUW, the independent voice of Wales’ family farms, met with Welsh Conservatives rural affairs spokesperson, Peter Fox MS and Plaid Cymru’s Llyr Gruffydd MS, relaying the farming sectors’ concerns over the potential impact the Treasury’s reforms could have on family farms and domestic food production.

The Prime Minister had previously insisted a “vast majority” of farmers would not be affected by the changes, which are due to take effect from April 2026. Meanwhile UK Treasury’s figures have previously claimed it expects around 500 estates across the UK to be affected by the changes each year.

However, previous research by industry bodies has drawn significant doubts over the Treasury’s figures.

The FUW’s own analysis suggests as many as 48% of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) recipients in Wales could be affected by the changes, with the union warning the changes could have devastating impact on family farms and food production, as well as leading towards an increase in agricultural land being transferred into the ownership of remote corporate bodies and companies.

The FUW has previously put forward a range of proposals to the proposed changes to better safeguard family farms and the UK’s food security. – a stance it reiterated to the UK Government on several occasions, including a meeting with UK Treasury officials in London in late February.

These proposed changes include the principle that farming/agricultural assets should not be taxed when passed from one generation to another for farming themselves or letting to another farming family. However, if a generation decides to sell those assets, those assets should be taxed at the point of selling.

Commenting following the debate, FUW President, Ian Rickman said: “Changes to APR have triggered significant anxiety within the farming sector in Wales during what is an incredibly difficult time for Welsh farmers, and the FUW has consistently called for the changes to be reviewed.

Considering the continued frustrations within the farming sector that were powerfully articulated during this debate, there was an opportunity here for the Senedd to send a clear, united message to Westminster that this ill-thought-out policy must be paused and reconsidered.

Disappointingly, this opportunity fell short, however as pressure continues to mount from the sector and from the government’s own back benches, the UK Treasury must now do the right thing and revisit these proposals to better safeguard our family farms and the future of Welsh agriculture.”

As well as opposition spokespersons, FUW President Ian Rickman and Deputy President, Dai Miles, also met Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies MS. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the far-reaching impact changes to APR could have on Welsh family farms, as well as discuss other pressing issues facing the sector, including the Sustainable Farming Scheme, the ongoing review of the Control of Agricultural Pollution regulations, bovine TB and the surveillance of Bluetounge Virus.

Farming

Royal Welsh Spring Festival 2025: What you need to know

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE ROYAL WELSH SPRING FESTIVAL is set to return this May, promising a weekend packed with rural life, livestock showcases, and family-friendly entertainment.

The event will take place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18.

Livestock and equestrian highlights

Animal enthusiasts can look forward to a variety of livestock and equine competitions, with over 600 classes featuring sheep, pigs, goats, and cattle, including rare and native breeds.

Equestrian events will again feature qualifiers for prestigious competitions, including the British Show Horse Association Royal International Horse Show and the London International Horse Show.

Entries for competitions remain open online until Wednesday, April 3.

Dog lovers and family fun

The Premier Open Dog Show returns, giving competitors the chance to qualify for Crufts 2026. Top winners will take home rosettes, prize money, and premium pet food prizes.

Families can explore the Smallholders Centre, the Country Life Area, and the Festival Display Ring, where a variety of rural-themed demonstrations and activities will take place.

The Meirionnydd Shearing Centre will host wool handling and blade shearing competitions, alongside demonstrations from the Gwent Guild of Spinners and Weavers.